Jennifer Pritzker to chair Equality Illinois gala

Jennifer Pritzker, the retired Army National Guard colonel and noted Chicago philanthropist, has been named chair of the Equality Illinois 2014 gala.

In making the announcement, Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois, an advocacy organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Illinoisans, said Col. Pritzker's contributions to the military and veterans and to causes such as Equality Illinois have been profound.

"She is a courageous role model who, as a transgender woman, has committed herself to continued service,” Mr. Cherkasov said in a release.

The All Equality Illinois Gala is Feb. 8 at the Hilton Chicago. The annual event, which draws high-profile business and political officials, is likely to be especially well-attended as Equality Illinois supporters continue to celebrate passage last month of the marriage equality law that allows same-sex couples to marry.

Tickets for the event range from $300 for a single to $5,000 for a platinum-level table (best seating) of 10.

Col. Pritzker is president and CEO of Tawani Enterprises Inc., president of the Tawani Foundation, and founder and chair of the Pritzker Military Museum & Library.

She's also a noted real-estate developer who has been trying to develop two Hyde Park homes into bed and breakfast facilities. The plan was scrapped by the 4th Ward, where the homes are located, but a neighborhood group this week is holding a meeting to revisit the idea, according to DNAinfo.